Not since 9/11 has there been a more critical moment for American unity than this one. And yet, in the days since an ISIS-inspired gunman opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 and injuring 53, we have been anything but united.

As our nation yearned for some semblance of solidarity and #OrlandoUnited trended on social media, politicians and pundits have seized on tragedy to promote political agendas, such as gun control and immigration. From President Obama to Donald Trump, the responses have been sadly predictable and unproductive.

Let’s be clear: The attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando was not just the worst mass shooting in the history of the United States and the largest outright massacre of gay people in this country’s history. It was also the most egregious act of terrorism on American soil since 9/11. And it follows the Dec. 2 attack in San Bernardino, which before Sunday was itself the most egregious act of terrorism on American soil since 9/11.

Instead of recognizing the gravity of this event, our political leaders reflexively took to the airwaves, regurgitating old talking points and casting blame, utilizing this tragedy as an opportunity to pursue political agendas rather than attempting to unite the nation.

Democrats and Republicans, progressives and conservatives all retreated to their ideological corners. Those on the political Left renewed calls for gun control. Those on the Right demanded stricter controls on immigration. These knee-jerk responses are not only opportunistic, but they also play into the hands of terrorists who seek to sow fear and division as a way to disrupt our lives.

Our leaders must address the real threat, which is far larger and far more insidious. Our country is at war.

ISIS is seeking to take not just our lives, but our very way of life. And while the attackers in Orlando and San Bernardino may not have been card-carrying members of ISIS, we must consider radicalized zealots to be foot soldiers in an entirely new kind of war.

Our national debate today is missing the point.

If Donald Trump’s preposterous suggestion to halt immigration of Muslims into the United States had been enacted prior to Sunday, it would have done nothing to stop the Pulse attack. The gunman was an American citizen born in New York.

If President Obama had been able to ban assault weapons prior to Sunday, ISIS would still be recruiting and indoctrinating the next wave of shooters, bombers and hijackers.

Has the war on terror really devolved to a debate over gun control and immigration?

While these are legitimate domestic policy debates, we must recognize that the underlying cause of the attack in Orlando – and the attacks in San Bernardino, Paris, Brussels and elsewhere – is radical Islamic terrorism, and the global leader of terrorism is ISIS.

Any political leader who refuses to acknowledge that fact and instead politicizes these acts of war as a way to advance agendas and opportunistically enact laws ought to be ashamed.

We need to lay aside our petty political bickering and recognize that terrorists are waging asymmetrical war on us. We need to respond appropriately, not by recycling the same tired old arguments, but by standing together and developing a strategy to halt the spread of terrorism and eradicate ISIS. Make no mistake: terror is designed to incite fear but another of its ugly byproducts is division, a far more destructive force in a free society.

In his few remaining months in office, President Obama must lead. And he must unite.

It is America’s responsibility to lead – with renewed vigor – the war on terror.

Our leaders have the responsibility to speak and act bluntly about Sunday’s calamity. This must be solved.

That starts with eliminating ISIS.

Let squabbles over divisive domestic issues hold for the moment as we strive for not just #OrlandoUnited but #AmericaUnited.

Editor’s note: In the coming days and weeks we will release a series of editorials further analyzing and offering solutions to help us better achieve an #AmericaUnited.

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